Five personal gods, Five foremost deities: 1 definition
Introduction:
Five personal gods means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Himalayan Art Resources: Five Foremost Deities - Mo Lha1) The Five Personal Gods of the Individual are known in Tibetan as go wai lha nga.—It is believed that the Five Gods are born with and accompany each individual human on their life journey. The five live on the body at the crown of the head, heart, right armpit, left armpit, and right shoulder. They function as private Gods governing health, wealth, luck and good fortune for each person. This belief system is indigenous to Tibet, Mongolia and Central Asia and the Five Gods [go wai lha nga] are tolerated in Buddhism and some small ritual offering texts can be found. The Bon religion presents a richer understanding of the Five Gods along with marriage ceremonies incorporating the Five as necessary elements.
The Five Personal Gods of the Individual are:
- Srog Lha (Life God) is located in the heart of an individual.
- Yul Lha (Regional God) is located at the crown of the head of an individual.
- Po Lha (Male God) is located at the right armpit.
- Mo Lha (Female God) is located at the left armpit.
- Dra Lha (Enemy God) is located at the right shoulder.
[Cf. the text: 'go ba'i lha lnga'i gsol mchod phan bde'i 'dod 'jo written by Tukwan Lobzang Chokyi Nyima, 1737-1802].
2) The Five Personal Gods of the Individual (Tibetan: go wai lha nga) are also presented in an 18th century Tibetan painting related to the Gelug lineage. The image presents the Five Gods at the center and four corners of the composition. Between each of the Five Gods are numerous retinue figures. Some are male, some female, some warriors, magicians, monks and animals.
At the top center is the wrathful Krodha Vajrapani; Further:
- Mo Lha (center)
- Yul Lha (top right)
- Srog Lha (top left)
- Dra Lha (bottom right)
- Po Lha (bottom left).
In the Bon religion this group of figures are the Five Gods of the Head (go wai lha nga) and with and accompany each individual human on their life journey. They function as personal gods governing health, wealth, luck and good fortune for each person. This belief system is indigenous to Tibet, Mongolia and Central Asia and the Five Gods are tolerated in Buddhism and some small ritual offering texts can be found. The Bon religion presents a richer understanding of the Five Gods along with marriage ceremonies incorporating the Five as necessary elements.
According to the 5th Dalai Lama it was Traba Ngonshe (1012-1090) and Guru Chowang (1212-1270) who first introduced the Five Personal Gods into a Buddhist context. In modern times it was the 5th Dalai Lama (1617-1682) that wrote a ritual text and further popularized the practice.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Head, Foremost, Deity, Te.
Full-text: Krodhavajrapani, dra lha, go wai lha nga, yul lha, po lha, srog lha, mo lha.
Relevant text
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